Martin Rethinks Retirement Plans

The 46-year-old had announced plans to move to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck series next year for Roush and retire from the Nextel Cup. However Roush Racing are without a replacement for next season.

Roush has signed Jamie McMurray as the long-term replacement for Martin in the number six car, however McMurray has a contract with Chip Gannassi racing that lasts until the end of 2006.

This means that Roush either requires an interim driver for the car or needs Martin to stay on a further year.

Martin said: "Roush wants me to drive until I'm 90. The man has cried a number of times over this. He was giddy last week when I said I would reconsider.

"My career has been built on the six car and Roush, and it's important to me to feel that I haven't let them down.

"I was asked if I won the Championship, would I be back? It was a flat no. That doesn't have anything to with me driving in 2006.

"Letting Jack Roush and the six car down is a whole different issue though than winning the Championship and not defending the title. I have tremendous loyalty, and my whole career is based on my relationship with Jack Roush."